Options Higford achieves Autism Accreditation status

Options Higford School located near Shifnal are celebrating after being awarded ‘Autism Accreditation’ status for the third consecutive time from The National Autistic Society.

Established by Options Autism and part of Outcomes First Group, Options Higford provides education, residential care and short breaks to children aged 8 to 19 with autistic spectrum conditions and associated complex needs.

As part of the accreditation, the schools teaching practice, interaction with students, senior leadership and many other areas were assessed.

Options Higford achieved a phenomenal 93.75% as “fully met” by the set criteria in the category for sensory experiences, followed closely by emotional well-being at 87.50%.

It was noted that “the success of sensory strategies, informed by a deep understanding of each individual student, contributed to the high levels of emotional well-being.”

Autism Accreditation is an internationally recognised process run by The National Autistic Society. The accreditation ensures that the highest quality of standards are met based on a personalised model of support and unified standard of excellence.

The Panel Report for Options Higford identified the following areas for the school to celebrate:

Effective sensory strategies, informed by a deep understanding of each individual student, contribute to the high levels of emotional well-being;

The family atmosphere in the houses and the comfortable atmosphere in lessons;

The work of the clinical team, whose knowledge and expertise are used to refine personal provision across the site.

The report congratulated Options Higford for maintaining the high standards required of Autism Accreditation, commenting “The school have demonstrated strong and continuing commitment to the Autism Accreditation process. The Accreditation review team were clearly impressed with the highly personalised and holistic support provided to students which no doubt has a significant positive impact on their quality of life in adulthood.”

Anne Adams, Head Teacher at Options Higford commented: “It is so important to get to know and understand each individual and we take pride in providing a personalised approach to each and every person.

“To have been re-accredited for the third time is a true credit to the staff here that care and show such dedication to the people we support. Well done to everyone.”

Six of our schools and residential care homes across the Options division are accredited through the National Autistic Society’s Autism Accreditation Scheme, demonstrating our commitment to providing specialist services to the people that we support.

Ten students from Options Barton, have been taking part in the weekly music sessions. The sessions have been fun and informative, introducing students to a variety of music styles and instruments. Students have been learning about different cultures through music, and have learnt to play the drums. The students are currently working on a project themed around Peter and the Wolf, which has involved using woodwind instruments.